Team USA Basketball Mistake Costs High School Hoops Star Her Senior Season

[Amber]

Rutgers women's signee Maori Davenport, the No. 15 prospect in the espnW HoopGurlz Top 100 for the 2019 class, has been ruled ineligible for the rest of her senior season after being issued a stipend check for $857.20 by USA Basketball.

Per ESPN:

"USA Basketball routinely pays players small amounts during its summer programs to help them recover costs, including lost wages and employment opportunities."

"Typically, USA Basketball confers with high school federations to determine if players are allowed to accept payments. But due to an error USA Basketball admits it made, no call was made to the Alabama High School Athletic Association, which does not allow payments of more than $250."

USA Basketball later informed Charles Henderson High School and the Alabama High School Athletic Association about the mistake, but the AHSAA has ruled that she is ineligible for her senior season - even after she returned the money. The WNBA is among those who are campaigning for the AHSAA to overturn their decision and allow Davenport to play out her last high school season.

According to ESPN, Davenport had led Team USA in rebounding and blocks en route to a gold medal in Mexico City at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship in August. 

As a junior, she led Henderson to its first state title while averaging 18.2 points, 12.0 rebounds, 5.1 blocks and 1.7 assists per game. 

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